Golden scabweed
Raoulia australis · Asteraceae
📷 Forest and Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0 us
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant golden scabweed: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Raoulia australis
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Origin
- New Zealand
- Foliage type
- Evergreen
- Adult height
- 5 cm
- Flowering
- May to June
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very good (down to -15°C)
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Raoulia australis demands very well-drained, almost poor soil: in rich soil it becomes etiolated and languishes. Plant it on a slope or in a rockery with sand/gravel.
The common mistake
Most gardeners drown it by watering or plant it in overly rich soil; it dies from root asphyxiation well before frost arrives.
The pro's trick
Use it as groundcover alongside sedums or sempervivums: its fuzzy white leaves create a natural contrast and it tolerates the occasional footstep.
Care
Exposure and light
Raoulia australis demands full sun exposure to develop properly and maintain its compact, dense shape. A lack of light risks causing it to become leggy and reducing its resistance. Place it in a bright location, ideally in a rock garden or on a well-exposed slope.
Watering
This alpine plant tolerates drought very well and only needs moderate, spaced-out watering. Water lightly during the active growing period (spring-summer) and reduce considerably in winter. Make sure the soil dries well between waterings to prevent rot.
Soil and drainage
Raoulia australis requires very well-draining, light and mineral soil. Prefer a mix of heather soil, sand and gravel. Heavy, damp soil promotes root rot. Improve drainage in pots or garden soil by generously adding sand or stone chips.
Pruning and maintenance
This cushion-forming plant requires little pruning. Simply remove dead or damaged parts in spring. Its naturally dense and spreading habit needs practically no shaping.
Fertilizing
Raoulia australis needs very little fertilizer. A light application of diluted balanced fertilizer in spring is plenty. Poor, rocky soils suit this alpine well.
Diseases and pests
The main threat is root rot if there's excess moisture or poor drainage. Otherwise, this plant is very resistant to common pests and diseases. Maintain optimal air circulation and respect drainage conditions to prevent it.
Did you know?
Raoulia australis is charmingly nicknamed the 'sheep plant' because of its extremely dense and woolly foliage, which resembles the fleece of a white sheep. Native to New Zealand's mountains, it is truly adapted to extreme alpine environments, capable of thriving in the most difficult conditions with remarkable minimalism.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.